The Yin and Yang of epigenetics in the field of nanoparticles

Nanoparticles (NPs) have become a very exciting research avenue, with multitudinous applications in various fields, including the biomedical one, whereby they have been gaining considerable interest as drug carriers able...

Mathematical Method to Assess the Yin-Yang Balance of Commercial Complexes’ Entrances

Shopping malls are important landmarks of modern and sustainable cities as they are substantial business and investment by themselves, and as they also facilitate the social activities of communities. Entrances to shopping malls provide a first impression to customers, thus affecting the business performance of the malls. This paper presents a method to assess the entrances of modern shopping malls by applying traditionally qualitative Feng shui practices quantitatively with an innovative mathematical model. The assessment is based on the manipulation of the yin-and-yang concept applied to the layout of Ming tang (bright court) as the focus of consideration. By applying this novel approach to three shopping malls in Guangzhou, China as a pilot study to match their commercial performance, our hypothesis appears workable. The ideology of balancing yin and yang may be practically meaningful to urban planning and the successful measurement of such balance could shed light on future studies.

The Pathogenic Roles of IL-22 in Colitis: Its Transcription Regulation by Musculin in T Helper Subsets and Innate Lymphoid Cells

IL-22 plays a crucial role in promoting inflammation, antimicrobial immunity and tissue repair at barrier surfaces. The role of IL-22 in colitis is still controversial: while IL-22 has a protective effect on gut epithelium in acute injuries, it also enhances colitis in a context-dependent manner. Here, we summarize the Yin and Yang of IL-22 in colitis. Particularly, we emphasize the role of innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) in IL-22 production and regulation. A previously underappreciated transcription factor, Musculin (MSC), has been recently identified to be expressed in not only Th17 cells, but also RORγt+/Id2+ IL-22-producing group 3 ILCs in the gut of naïve mice. We hypothesize that the co-expression and interaction of MSC with the key transcription repressor Id2 in developing lymphoid cells (e.g., in LTi cells) and ILC precursors might fine tune the developmental programs or regulate the plasticity of adaptive Th subset and innate ILCs. The much-elevated expression of IL-22 in MSC-/- ILC3s suggests that MSC may function as: 1) a transcription suppressor for cytokines, particularly for IL-22, and/or 2) a gatekeeper for specific lineages of Th cells and innate ILCs as well. Amelioration of colitis symptoms in MSC-/- mice by IL-22-blocking agent IL-22BP-Fc suggests a counterintuitive pathogenic role of IL-22 in the absence of MSC as a checkpoint. The theory that exuberant production of IL-22 under pathological conditions (e.g., in human inflammatory bowel disease, IBD) may cause epithelial inflammation due to endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress response is worth further investigation. Rheostatic regulation of IL-22 may be of therapeutic value to restore homeostatic balance and promote intestinal health in human colitis.

Prevalence of Traditional Asian Postpartum Practices at a Federally Qualified Health Center

To evaluate the knowledge of, participation in, attitudes towards, and experiences with “doing the month” (DTM), a traditional Chinese and Vietnamese postpartum practice, at a federally qualified health center that serves predominantly Asian immigrants. DTM practices revolve around the balance between yin and yang and include practices such as the mother remaining on bed rest for as long as possible, restricting diet to certain foods, and avoiding visitors and social activities. A cross-sectional survey in Chinese, Vietnamese, and English was developed to determine the prevalence of women who have heard of and participated in DTM. 154 respondents participated. The mean age of respondents was 40.1 years. Without prompting of what DTM was, 58 (37.7%) responded that they had heard of DTM. After an explanatory paragraph, this increased to 117 (76.6%) participants. Out of 107 patients who have children, 65 (60.7%) “did the month” after giving birth. Participation rates were highest for women who identified as Chinese or Vietnamese. Likert-type scale questions showed that respondents believed DTM was stressful but enjoyable and helpful for recovery from childbirth. In conclusion, DTM is a common practice that health providers should be aware of.

The Dao in China's Growing Presence in the South Pacific

The rise of China as one of the great powers in the international politic has been the hottest topic in the 21st century. Following the economic reform led by Deng Xiaoping in 1978, China re-emerges stronger than ever with its influences covering major parts of the world. One region particularly stands out since the prior dominance of United States therein, the South Pacific. The study of this research will be limited to 10 PICs recognising China, Vanuatu, Cook Island, FSM, Fiji, Niuee, PNG, Samoa, Tonga, Solomon Islands and Kiribati. Under the Western International Relations Theory (IRT) however, the rise of China is always seen in a rather malign manner. This research, therefore, contends that in order to fully understand China’s behaviour in the international community, we need to know how China perceives itself. By applying one of the most famous Chinese traditional school of thought, Daoism, this research aims to examine the strategy used in the expansion of China’s influence in the South Pacific. Daoism is symbolised with yin and yang, where the two elements are contradictory, yet they complement each other. Under the Dao dialectics, this research argues that China has been utilising a combination of two contradictory elements of power—soft and hard power—in expanding its prominence in the South Pacific region.

Dualistic Audience Model in Public Diplomacy

This paper examines the theoretical frame regarding the audience with special focus on foreign diasporas as part of the potential stakeholders for initiatives in contemporary public diplomacy. Within the light of recent developments in digital communication and the widespread use of social media, we investigate the evolution of the concept for exclusively foreign audience in public diplomacy initiatives. The hypothesis of the author is that within the highly digitalized and globalized contemporary environment, it is impossible to completely separate domestic and foreign audiences. Thus, the dualistic Yin and Yang Model of the audience in public diplomacy is introduced. The concept can be useful for future theoretical and empirical research in the field, as well as a starting point for further academic debates and analysis.

Apelin and Vasopressin: The Yin and Yang of Water Balance

Apelin, a (neuro)vasoactive peptide, plays a prominent role in controlling body fluid homeostasis and cardiovascular functions. Experimental data performed in rodents have shown that apelin has an aquaretic effect via its central and renal actions. In the brain, apelin inhibits the phasic electrical activity of vasopressinergic neurons and the release of vasopressin from the posterior pituitary into the bloodstream and in the kidney, apelin regulates renal microcirculation and counteracts in the collecting duct, the antidiuretic effect of vasopressin occurring via the vasopressin receptor type 2. In humans and rodents, if plasma osmolality is increased by hypertonic saline infusion/water deprivation or decreased by water loading, plasma vasopressin and apelin are conversely regulated to maintain body fluid homeostasis. In patients with the syndrome of inappropriate antidiuresis, in which vasopressin hypersecretion leads to hyponatremia, the balance between apelin and vasopressin is significantly altered. In order to re-establish the correct balance, a metabolically stable apelin-17 analog, LIT01-196, was developed, to overcome the problem of the very short half-life (in the minute range) of apelin in vivo. In a rat experimental model of vasopressin-induced hyponatremia, subcutaneously (s.c.) administered LIT01-196 blocks the antidiuretic effect of vasopressin and the vasopressin-induced increase in urinary osmolality, and induces a progressive improvement in hyponatremia, suggesting that apelin receptor activation constitutes an original approach for hyponatremia treatment.